s was the discovery one afternoon of a broad trail, made by the
passage of numerous carts and horsemen over the prairie.

"Buffalo-runners!" exclaimed Rollin, when they came upon the track.

"From Red River!" cried Victor.

"Even so, boys," said Ian.

The Indian chief, who led the party, held the same opinion, and added
that they were evidently journeying in the same direction with
themselves. This rendered it necessary that they should make a forced
march during the night, it being otherwise impossible for men on foot to
overtake a party of horsemen. Towards midnight of the same day they had
the satisfaction of seeing their campfires in the distance. Soon
afterwards they were within the circle of the camp, where men were still
smoking and eating round the fires, and women and children were moving
busily about.

"Why, there are John Flett and David Mowat," exclaimed Victor, as
several of the men came forward to meet the party.

"An' Hayes, an' Vinklemann," cried Rollin.

Another minute and they were shaking hands amid a chorus of surprised
and hearty questions and replies.

"Is Louis Lambert with you?" asked Victor, after mutual explanations had
been given.

"No," said David Mowat, with a laugh, "he's got other fish to fry at
home."

Poor Ian winced, for he at once pictured to himself Elsie as the mermaid
hinted at.

"Now, boys, I'm going to ask some of you to make a sacrifice," said Ian.
"We had intended to follow up this chase on foot, but of course will be
able to accomplish our end sooner on horseback. I want three of you to
lend us your horses. You're sure to be well paid for them by Sam
Ravenshaw and my father. I'll guarantee you that--"

"We want no guarantee," interrupted John Flett, "and we have spare
horses enough in the camp to mount you without giving up our own; so
make your mind easy."

"Zat is troo," said Herr Winklemann; "ve has goot horse to spare;
buff'lo-runners every von. Bot you mus' stay vid us von day for run ze
buff'lo an' git supply of meat."

Victor and his friends at once agreed to this, all the more readily that
the possession of horses would now enable them easily to overtake the
fugitives. Accordingly, they sat down to a splendid supper of robbiboo,
and continued to eat, chat, and quaff tea far into the following
morning, until nature asserted herself by shutting up their eyelids.

The band with which our adventurers were now associated was composed of
a motley c